Chris: Hatem Ben Arfa is no Ginola or Robert

Sep 11 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has urged Newcastle United fans to let Hatem Ben Arfa carve out his own reputation at St James’ Park rather than compare him to other popular French players of the past.

The arrival of Ben Arfa during the transfer window was arguably the most exciting piece of business done by Hughton, and United fans are understandably looking forward to getting their first glimpse of the France international against Blackpool today.

Two thrilling French wingers have featured in black-and-white stripes in recent years with David Ginola and Laurent Robert both earning cult-hero status on Tyneside.

But Hughton, while predicting Ben Arfa will have a big impact on the Premier League, has also argued it is unfair to compare him to either of those two former United players as he is a completely different type of footballer.

He said: “He will certainly be a crowd pleaser, but he is a different sort of player to David Ginola or Laurent Robert. Ginola was a really strong player, six foot two, an athletic specimen and most would accept he was much better going forward than defending.

“The difference between the two is that David Ginola was a left winger. Even though he was right-footed, that was by far his best position.

“With Ben Arfa, he can vary his game a bit more, he can play on the left, on the right and certainly off the front and in a central position. He is certainly a gifted player.

“I can’t really say who he is similar to. I’ve heard it say he may be like Laurent Robert, but that is probably because they’re both French. I saw Laurent Robert as an out-and-out left winger who, like David Ginola, was better going one way than the other.

“Ben Arfa is also very much an offensive player, a gifted player on the ball who has a good eye for a pass and a change of pace. He is able to go past players.”